Delve will hope to figure in head coach Bryan Redpath's first game in charge

Gloucester back rower Gareth Delve says the opening day clash with West Country rivals Bath can set the tone for the rest of their Premiership season.

The two teams meet at Kingsholm on the first weekend of September.

"We've got a fantastic chance to start the season against a team likely to be one of our main rivals for the title," Delve told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"And the chance to make Kingsholm a fortress and get a buzz about the place could set the tone for the season."

The Cherry and Whites then travel to play last season's beaten play-off finalists London Irish, but Delve believes they will have a better idea of their prospects later on.

"By the sixth game of the season, London Wasps at home, that'll give us a good chance to really see where we are," he said.

Other stand-out fixtures see Gloucester play Bath at the Recreation Ground on either 26 or 27 December.

Premiership title-holders Leicester visit Kingsholm on the weekend of 21/22 November, with Gloucester making the trip to Welford Road on the third weekend of February.

The Cherry and Whites will finish the regular 2009/10 Premiership campaign away to Worcester Warriors.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version